Page 15 of Enamored with a Brooding Earl
“I am grateful that you chose to do such a thing.” Stepping back, Temperance felt herself wobble and chose to sit down again, albeit a little heavily. “Thank you, Lord Calverton.”
He nodded, his eyes grave. “Will I see you this evening?”
Taking in a deep breath, Temperance lifted her chin and nodded. “Oh yes, Lord Calverton. I have no intention of permitting this news to prevent me from enjoying an evening in good company, particularly if it is going to be one of mylastevenings to enjoy such company.” Her voice faltered but she kept her gaze steady. “I will join you all as expected.”
The smile which spread across Lord Calverton’s face made her heart lift a little from the despair which pulled it low. “I am glad to hear that, Lady Temperance. Until this evening.” He bowed and then turned to take his leave, just as Temperance turned to her aunt.
“I cannot quite take in what my mother thinks she is doing in hoping for a connection between Lord Barlington and myself,” she said, as fresh tears burned in her eyes. “Surely she must understand how much pain that gentleman has brought to me!”
Her aunt shook her head. “I think, to be frank, that your mother supposes there is no-one else present who might marry you,” she said, gently. “Therefore, she will push him towards you in the hope that he will propose and you will accept.”
Temperance sighed heavily, managing to blink back her tears. “I daresay that elucidates the matter quite well,” she said, heavily. “For what other gentlemanwouldlook at me? Whowouldconsider someone as scarred and as broken as I?”
Her aunt’s eyes flared wide. “Surely you do not mean to suggest that you will accept him?”
Immediately, Temperance shook her head. “No, of course not, Aunt. I only mean to say that I can now understand as to why my mother might think of such a thing. But no, I dread seeing him and I certainly shall not even consider accepting his attentions again.” With a small sigh, she closed her eyes again. “What dreadful news this has been.”
Chapter Ten
“Mother? Are you going to be ready to take our leave within the hour?” Doubts filled James’ mind as he saw his mother press her brush back into the paints.
“Yes, yes. There is nothing much for me to do. I am already prepared and – ”
“You have paint on your arm,” James pointed out, coming closer to her as his mother looked down to see where he gestured. She then let out a breath of frustration before smiling rather ruefully. “It is only a little and the yellow goes with my gown, does it not?”
James let out a quiet chuckle and shook his head. “No, Mother, it does not go with your gown. It is clearly a daub of paint on the sleeve of your otherwisedark bluegown.”
Much to his surprise, his mother only shrugged. “That does not matter to me very much. We are to be amongst friends and I do not think that they will have anything to say about it. Now,” she continued, before he could protest, “what do you think of my painting?” She stepped back and permitted James to survey it and the landscape on the canvas quickly caught his breath.
It was a glorious sunset, with pink and orange streaks billowing across the sky. The dark greens and brown of the moorland were in sharp contrast but he could still see the red and yellow of the tiny little meadow flowers which she had painted into the scene. “Mother,” he murmured, coming a little closer to it. “It is magnificent! You have a true skill.”
His mother quickly shook her head. “No, I am not at all skillful. It has simply been practicing and practicing and practicing until I am happy with the result!”
James smiled softly and then, after a moment, kissed his mother’s cheek. “I am delighted to see you painting again. You appear to be very happy indeed and that is a wonderful thing for me to see.”
Lady Calverton looked up at him. “I do find it a blessing to be able to do such a thing as this. Though,” she continued, her voice growing a little wistful, “the most beautiful stories are not painted on canvas but are written in the lines of our own lives.” She tiltedher head. “My life has known a great deal of pain and yet I find beauty and happiness in it still.”
“That is because you are a remarkable lady,” James answered her, stepping back so he could admire her artwork from a farther distance. “Now, as much as I should like to stand here and gaze at your painting for a little longer, I must go and prepare for this evening. Youwillbe ready, will you not?”
His mother laughed and nodded. “Yes, of course I shall be. I am already looking forward to it.”
His mind immediately went to Lady Temperance and James found himself smiling. “As am I, Mother. As am I.”
***
“Billiards, my friend?”
James, who had been doing nothing other than watching Lady Thurston, Lady Temperance, Lady Hartford and his own mother playing cards for the last half an hour, smiled and rose to his feet. “Yes, of course.” There came a slight reluctance to leave the ladies, to step away and to leave them behind, but he went there anyway. “I suppose I am doing nothing else!”
“Aside from watching the ladies, no, you are not.” Lord Thurston grinned at him as they made their way into the billiards room. His smile faded as he turned his attention back towards James who was already picking up one of the cues. “Did you tell Lady Temperance about Lord Barlington’s arrival?”
James nodded. “I did.”
“And?”
“And she was stunned,” James answered, approaching the table. “Horrified, in fact. I do not think I have ever seen anyone so utterly overwhelmed.”
Lord Thurston clicked his tongue. “It is most displeasing to hear that he is forcing his return upon her.”
